Experimental study of refrigerant (R134a) condensate retention on paraffin coated plates and fin structures

The refrigerant retained on heat transfer surfaces has a deleterious impact on the performance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, which not only increases the thermal resistance between the vapor and surface, but also requires a higher charge to the system. In this work, a new paraffin coating has been applied on condensation surfaces, and R134a condensate retention has been studied on both copper plate and fins with (without) coating. The heat transfer coefficient was measured based on the one-dimensional heat conduction method and the retention was quantified using image processing. The results show that the heat transfer has been enhanced on the coated surfaces under a wide range of subcool degree, with a maximum increase of 27.4% in heat transfer coefficient; a reduced liquid retention has also been observed on paraffin coated fins with the retention area ratio decreased by 35.1% to 47.1% (depending on different subcool) compared to the uncoated fins. This work shows great potentials for reducing retained liquid and enhance heat transfer during refrigerant condensation.